Wrench



Aug. 26 1924.

J. J. JOHNSON Filed June l, 1923 M "du" 04a J- JJJ 1a 'Ja INVENTORPatented Aug. 26, 1%24.

UNITED stares JOSEFH J'. JOHNSON, OF SAVANNAH, GEORGIA.

WRENCH.

Application led .Tune 1,

T all whom t may oon-cervi:

Be it known that l, JOsnrI-r J. JOHNSON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Savannah, in the county of Chatham and State of Georgia,have invented new and useful lmprovements in lVrenches, of which the.following is a speciiication.

This .invention contemplates the provision of a pipe wrench designed tobe quickly and easily adjusted, and operated with one hand, and also toprevent slipping of the wrench while in use.

rllhe invention further embodies the desired features of simplicity anddurability, the construction of the wrench being such that it may bequickly and easily released when necessary, the wrench being operated inthe manner similar to a ratchet wrench.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of meanswhereby the movements of the jaws into gripping relation can be limitedto regulate the pressure upon the object gripped thereby.

The nature and advantages of the invention will be better understoodwhen the following detailed description is read in connection with thevaccompanying drawings, the invention residing in the construction`combination and arrangement of parts as claimed.

ln the drawing forming part of this application, like numerals ofreference indicate similar parts in` the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a wrench.

Figure 2 is a similar view with one of the side plates removed.

Figure 3 is a detail view of the sliding block.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawing in detail, indicates spaced plates betweenwhich the gripping jaws 11 are pivoted rThe plates 10 are connectedtogether in any suitable manner and are preferably thickened adjacentthe lower corners thereof as at 12 for the purpose of spacing the platesapart. The jaws 11 project an appreciable distance. The correspondingends of the respective plates are serrated for a portion of theirlengt-h so that the jaws may obtain an eflective gripping purchase onthe object being dealt with. The confronting faces of these jaws whichare disposed between the plates 10 are oppositely curved as at 14C and192e. serial No. 642,837.

these curved surfaces cooperate with a sliding block 15 also positionedbetween the plate 10 and controlled by a suitable handle. This block 15has its opposed edges curved as at 16, and these curved edges engage thecurved surfaces lll of the gripping jaws.

@ne end of the block is bifurcated as at 17 to receive a lug 18 carriedby one of the plates 10, so that the block is guided in its movement andoperatively held associated with the cooperating parts of the structure.T he other end of the sliding block is slightly ached or curved as at19, and this end is engaged by the cam like extremity 20 of an operatinghandle or lever 21,` the latter being pivoted between the plates by aslot and pin connection 22. Also arranged between these plates 1() is asubstantially V- shaped spring 28, the limbs of which are received bynotches formed in the confronting faces of the gripping aws, anarrangement allowing the spring to normally hold the jaws open, when thehandle or lever 21 is moved in one direction, the sliding block 15 isformed between the gripping jaws in a way to move the jaws into grippingrelation which can be easily relessed by reversing the movement of thehandle 21. Consequently, the wrench can be operated similar to a ratchetwrench, to allow a new grip to be obtained upon the object being dealtwith at any time desired, and yet prevent slipping of the wrench whenthe jaws are in gripping relation.

lt will be noted that one wall of the inclined slot with which the leveris provided. is formed with spaced notches 23 either of which mayaccommodate the pivot 22, so that the handle may be moved toward or awayfrom the block 15 to allow the jaws 11 to be opened a greater or lessdegree as the occasion may require. Furthermore this constructionpermits the wrench to be quickly and easily adjusted to accommodateitself to pipes of dilferent diameters, thus rendering a iinal operationof the wrench more. prompt, and with a consequent increase of power fora large pipe, and a reduction of power on a small pipe. To preventcrushing of a small pipe between the gripping aws 11, by the applicationof too much power, l provide a means whereby the pressure of thel jawswhen in gripping relation can be regulated, and this means preferablyconsists of a threaded element 24 which is supported by one of thethickened llO portions l2 above referred to. The threaded element 24moves in a plane substantially at a right angle to the adjacent end ofthe handle or lever 2l, and serves as an abutment for the handle tolimit its movement in one direction for the purpose of moving the jawsinto gripping relation. It will be further noted that the wrench isdesigned to allow it to be manipulated .by one hand, thewrench beingsimple in construction, and both strong and durable.

Again, the wrench is particular-ly advantageous in use on pipesv orfittings located against a wall or other fiat surface, it being.possible to use the wrench in corners and other restricted places whereit is more or less impossible to use any other kind of wrench.

While it is believed that from the foregoing description, the nature andadvantages of the invention will be readily apparent, I'desire to haveit understood that I do not limit myself to what is shown and sorted towhen desired as fall within theV scope of what is claimed.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

"A pipe wrench comprising opposed side plates, gripping jaws pivotedbetween the plates, resilient means for normally holding said jawsspread apart, said jaws having oppositely curved surfaces, a lugprojecting from one plate, a sliding block arranged between the jaws andhaving cam like edges cooperating with Curved surfaces of the jaws,whereby the latter are moved into gripping relation when the block isshifted in one direction, said 'block being bifurcated to receive saidlug, and a lever pivoted between said plates, said lever hava camy likeextremity controlling the movement of saidv sliding block as and for thepurpose specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JOSEPH J. JOHNSON.

